Demi Lovato says the new season of the X Factor USA is "monumental" for Simon Cowell.
The singer is returning as a judge on the reality singing series alongside the media mogul.
Joining them for the next instalment of the US version of the show will be new members Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.
Demi says the trio of females have brought out a new side to the notoriously sharp-tongued critic.
"This season is monumental in his life because he's become... we've become the first people to crack his shell," Demi told Access Hollywood. "He's brutally honest but I've had heart to heart talks with him and he's a really great guy. He's sensitive and he's got a great heart. He'll hate me for saying that. But he's a great person. What you see on TV is true but he's awesome."
Demi joked Simon may have been forced to embrace his feminine side. The three female judges have given him a pretty hard time already.
"Simon can't handle the three of us. Simon doesn't know how to handle us. We are all firecrackers. There is not one boring girl on the panel," Demi laughed.
"Starting out with Paulina, you can't understand what she is saying half the time, that's what makes her so funny. She's so unpredictable, which is hilarious. You don't know what she is going to say. She's so passionate, she has that Latin passion in her heart, as do I. If I see someone I will fight for them. And Kelly who is definitely not afraid to speak back to Simon, and then there is me. He has these three women next to him who aren't afraid. Last year he just had me who wasn't afraid to talk back to him. We are the bantering intense three!"
This week news broke that Simon is allegedly expecting a baby with Lauren Silverman, 36, the wife of his good friend Andrew Silverman. Simon has refused to comment on the baby rumours, and Demi teased she is clueless about the potential new addition to the FOX programme's line-up.
"I have no recollection of that whatsoever. I don't know what you're talking about... that's crazy!" Demi jokingly declared.
